The Intersection of Music and Writing with Heather Snodgrass

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Heather Snidgrass about her new book, A Love Letter to Reading, a thriller that incorporates music throughout. She also discusses how listening to music improves her writing.Opening ThoughtsBill, Lara, and Jesse make their predictions for 2026 and the world of writing.News1) Spotify is Producing Dramatized Audiobooks Based on Original Material2) Publishers Are Using AI to Review Submissions and Pick Books to PublishCraft CornerMarty Ludlum (At First I Was Afraid) talks about words to avoid.Interview with Heather SnodgrassClosing WordsDon't forget the WriterCon Cruise, March 7-17. We leave from Ft. Lauderdale and cruise through beautiful locations, plus you get over 20 hours of writing instruction, personalized to meet the needs of the group, while the boat is at sea (we won't bother you when the boat is in port). Have some fun and take your writing skills to the next level. For more info, visit www.writercon.com.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview John Phillips, author of the Vietnam-era historical fiction, Dress Whites.Opening ThoughtsThe crew re-examines their predictions for 2025—and didn't do half bad.News1) Readers Rebel Against Titles with Excessive SEO Keywords2) Harlequin Uses AI Translation ServiceCraft CornerBetsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex) discusses why you should write the book only you can write.Interview with John PhillipsParting WordsDon't forget to register for the WriterCon Cruise! This time, we’re leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day voyage. So beautiful tropical vistas plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Lara and I, plus Betsey Kulakowski and an onboard agent (Katherine Sands) who will happily talk to every participant. Don’t miss out. Plan now to be with us March 7-15. Visit the WriterCon website for more info.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Janet Yeager, author of the high-tech thriller, Two Birds, One Stone. 0:00 Opening ThoughtsHow Writers Prep for the Holidays4:51 News1) Amazon Offers Free AI Foreign-Language Translations2) Grammerly Becomes Superhuman with AI Assistant15:26 Craft CornerOur panel of experts discuss the use of Amazon and AI by Writers19:57 Interview with Janet Yeager40:18 Parting WordsThe WriterCon Cruise worked for Janet Yeager. Could it do the same for you? We’re leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day cruise through the Eastern Caribbean, beautiful tropical vistas combines with over twenty hours of writing instruction, plus an onboard agent who will happily talk to every participant. Don’t miss out. Plan now to be with us March 7-15. Visit the WriterCon website for more info.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Will Thomas, author of the Victorian-era Barker & Llewelyn mysteries, and Julia Bryan Thomas, author of five novels, most recently The Kennedy Girl.0:00 Opening ThoughtsThe Best Memories from 200 episodes4:14 NewsThis is a 200th Anniversary News roundup focusing on the two topics that appeared most recently in the news during our previous episodes: Amazon and AI.13:36 Craft CornerMarty Ludlum (At First I Was Afraid) continues his discussion of writing conferences, focusing on the people you should be looking for to advance your writing career.20:10 Interview with Will & Julia Bryan Thomas43:12 Parting WordsThe 2026 WriterCon Cruise departs from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day trip through beautiful tropical vistas plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Lara and I, plus Betsey Kulakowski, plus an onboard agent (Katharine Sands) who will happily talk to every participant. Don’t miss out. Plan now to be with us March 7-15. Visit the WriterCon website for more info.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Leah Paulos, the founder and leader of Press Shop PR, who for more than 25 years has helped promote top titles from major publishers.Note: Because the team was on the road, the sound quality of this episode is not our usual. Apologies. We will be back to normal next time for our 200TH EPISODE!!!0:00 Opening ThoughtsWhat book are you thankful for this year?4:02 News1) Beventi and INKfluence Team to Help Authors Direct Sell Enhanced Books2) Huge Phianthropic Fund for Literary Arts10:39 Craft CornerTamara Grantham (Never Call Me Vampire) explains the importance of giving your characters memorable eccentricities.14:06 Interview with Leah Paulos36:10 Parting WordsJoin us for the WriterCon Cruise! Over 20 hours of writing instruction while we cruise the Eastern Carribean on an 8-day sail leaving from Ft Lauderdale, March 7-15. Seas the Day!Join the WriterCon Facebook Group, a warm and supportive group of writers. Know what's going on in the writing world every day!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars)and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Courtney Psak, author of the new thriller The Tutor.0:00 Opening ThoughtsThe Crew talk about recent travels and debate whether Bill is tragically unhip.4:23 NewsThe All-Lawsuit Edition!1) Judge Declares Texas Book Rating Law Unconstiutional2) Michael Wolff Sues Melania Trump for Allegedly Trying to Silence HIm3) Big Five P{ublisher Sues the Heirs of Nelson DeMilleNote: when Bill talks about S&S paying $600 and some, he means $600,000+15:18 Interview with Courtney Psak32:02 Parting WordsJoin us for the WriterCon Cruise! This time, we’re leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day cruise through the Eastern Caribbean, which is a new destination for us. So beautiful tropical vistas, plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Bil, Lara, Betsey Kulakowski and agent Katharine Sands, who will happily talk to every participant. Don’t miss out. Plan now to be with us March 7-15. Visit the WriterCon website for more info. www.writercon.com/cruise

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sam J Miller and Mary Robinette Kuwal, both award-winning authors of one-half of a new science fiction "Saga Double."0:00 Opening ThoughtsHow are you celebrating Halloween?05:03 News1) Lawsuit Over Amazon Prime Cancellations Settled2) TikTok and Spotify Launch New Joint Hub12:43 Craft CornerBetsey Kulakowski, author of the Veritas Codex series, offers advice on character and world-building, and how the two interact. 15:35 Interview with Mary Robinette Kuwal and Sam J MillerParting WordsMark your calendar for the WriterCon Cruise!MARCH 7TH - 15TH 8-DAY EASTERN CARIBBEAN: GREATER ANTILLES & LEEWARD ISLANDSWhen the boat is at sea, we'll offer more than 20 hours of writing instruction, group and individual, plus we'll have Katharine Sands of the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency on board to meet privately with each participant. Don't miss it! Click here for more information.

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Shanna Hatfiled, the author of more than one hundred novels about her new Christmas novel, The Bridge.0:00 Opening ThoughtsWelcome to Season Five of the WriterCon Podcast! We're going to reach our 200th episode in December and we're looking for suggestions on how to celebrate this momentous event. Post your ideas in the Comments section!02:56 News1) New Developments in the Anthropic SettlementHere's a link to the site where you can determine whether any of your books were impropoerly used by Anthropic. You can also submit a Claim Form so you can participate in the settlement—if you qualify.Searchable database: https://secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/?_gl=1x16ddk_gcl_auMjExNTg2NTEzMi4xNzU5NDE1NTc0Submitting Claim Forms: https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/2) New "Book Club" Scam Floods Writers' Email InboxesSupport and follow Writer Beware! https://writerbeware.blog/13:32 Craft CornerBarry Friedman (author of Jack Sh*t 3: I'm the Father) offers suggestions on bringing reality to your fiction.15:52 Interview with Shanna Hatfield30:58 Parting WordsThe 2026 WriterCon Cruise in March leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Come join us!

This episode was recorded LIVE at WriterCon 2025 on August 31, 2025. Our fifth season will begin next week. See you there!Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L Dove (Mask of the Deer Woman) and Nova McBee (Calculated), the keynote speakers for WriterCon 2025.Opening ThoughtsWe're recording LIVE from the third day of WriterCon 2025. Lara enjoys the fun, especially karaoke night. Jesse is disgruntled because he found James Patterson books in his hotel room. News1) Enterpreneur Replaces Speed Dating with Read Dating2) New Platform Allows you to Choose Your Own Adventure in Famous Fictional Worlds3) Stephen King and Benjamin Percy Launch Novel Serialized in Newspaper FormatInterview with Laurie L Dove and Nova McBeeParting WordsSorry to tell you, but if you’re listening to this at home, you have missed WriterCon 2025. But there will be another one in 2026 during Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7, 2026), so start making your plans now. www.writercon.com.WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles and news about breaking issues. Go to Substack and search for WriterCon.And if you'd like a daily dose of WriterCon, join our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Candace Kade, the author of The Hybrid series, a YA sci-fi trilogy.00:00 Opening ThoughtsLAST CALL for WriterCon 2025 at the Skirvin Hilton in OKC over Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 1. Over 60 speakers and over 100 breakout sessions, pitching, manuscript reviews, private consultations, etc. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other writers, people who share your hopes and dreams, form critique groups or gain beta readers, or present your work at the Open Mic. It is NOT too late to register! Learn more at: www.writercon.com/conference/03:51 News1) Siegel and Shuster Plaza Opens in Cleveland07:43 Craft CornerDesiree Duffy from Black Chateau and Books That Make You explains the FIVE main benefits of writing conferences. Some of them may surprise you...11:59 Interview with Candace Kade25:52 Parting WordsONE LAST TIME! Join us at WriterCon 2025! www.writercon.com/conference